Tom Servo

Now that Jimmy Graham is locked in as a tight end under the franchise tag, the question is whether he can agree to a long-term contract with the New Orleans Saints by the July 15 deadline for franchised players. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday's edition of NFL Total Access that agent Jimmy Sexton and general manager Mickey Loomis will be starting at "ground zero" in negotiations. Both sides were waiting for Wednesday's ruling as a benchmark for talks. Graham now has 10 days to appeal, which looms as a potential complication. There is a very real possibility, per Rapoport, that Graham will balk at signing his tender if there is no agreement by the deadline. Arbitrator Stephen Burbank suggested as much in his ruling, stating that Graham's "consideration of whether to accept the Franchise Player tender is affected by whether the tender is for a one-year contract of $7 million, or $12 million." In a worst-case scenario for the Saints, Graham could travel the route paved by Logan Mankins in 2010 when the Patriots guard skipped training camp, failed to report for the start of the regular season and only rejoined the team in early November, thereby accruing a season toward free agency. On the positive side, though, NFL Media's Albert Breer notes the Saintshave been "100 percent prepared" for this scenario and still anticipate an agreement with Graham "right before" the July 15 deadline. The tight-end ruling will provide clarity in negotiations, setting Graham's value below the top-tier wide-receiver market. If Graham is due to collect $15-16 million under the franchise tag for the next two years, the Saints might be able to appease him by offering more than $20 million up front. The bottom line: If we don't have an answer to Graham's contract status in two weeks, the issue could linger well into the 2014 season.

Now that Jimmy Graham is locked in as a tight end under the franchise tag, the question is whether he can agree to a long-term contract with the New Orleans Saints by the July 15 deadline for franchised players. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday's edition of NFL Total Access that agent Jimmy Sexton and general manager Mickey Loomis will be starting at "ground zero" in negotiations. Both sides were waiting for Wednesday's ruling as a benchmark for talks. Graham now has 10 days to appeal, which looms as a potential complication. There is a very real possibility, per Rapoport, that Graham will balk at signing his tender if there is no agreement by the deadline. Arbitrator Stephen Burbank suggested as much in his ruling, stating that Graham's "consideration of whether to accept the Franchise Player tender is affected by whether the tender is for a one-year contract of $7 million, or $12 million." In a worst-case scenario for the Saints, Graham could travel the route paved by Logan Mankins in 2010 when the Patriots guard skipped training camp, failed to report for the start of the regular season and only rejoined the team in early November, thereby accruing a season toward free agency. On the positive side, though, NFL Media's Albert Breer notes the Saintshave been "100 percent prepared" for this scenario and still anticipate an agreement with Graham "right before" the July 15 deadline. The tight-end ruling will provide clarity in negotiations, setting Graham's value below the top-tier wide-receiver market. If Graham is due to collect $15-16 million under the franchise tag for the next two years, the Saints might be able to appease him by offering more than $20 million up front. The bottom line: If we don't have an answer to Graham's contract status in two weeks, the issue could linger well into the 2014 season.

key phrase being "tampa d"

i netflix my ***** anyway.

l. m. a. o. those congregating at the panther huddle are just as sad as any group of people currently congregated in the huddle house.

I don't think the NFL was willing to open this can of worms, and good for them. ...Megalo-financial-maniac ********!!!!

all 11 players on the tampa d was better than anyone on the saints in 09, and would have started for each position.

tampa 2002 and its not even ******* close.

i dont get hbo

i saw your moms underwear when she threw them at me at the cheetah club.

Paul Worrilow > Saints LBs combined

7 receptions, 9 targets, 76 yards, 10.9 yards per reception and a touchdown. All while double covered every play. So, yeah, we'll take that.

That's what it looks like when a fat *** ***** himself at the thought of having to devote two men to one player for an entire game and knows it won't make a difference.

bad news for the saints.

lul

Dudeski, we all know Julio's had foot injuries his whole life. Small price to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime connection.

That's a fair point. But JJ's Optimus Prime son.

uh, yeah.

Parker > > > Wade

AJ Green was taken before Julio, smart guy. A 5 for 1 swap was fine in THAT particular draft, where our position was weak, and so was the talent. I wouldn't pay 5 draft picks for Dez. Sure, he's good, but he's a got dayumn nutcase also. Josh Gordon's about to be suspended for an entire year. Julio is a consummate professional, who can't remember the last time he ate a french fry, and if he didn't have this nagging injury, would no doubt be considered the best WR in the game right now. If he stays on the field next season, you're gonna look even dumber than you already are.

nyg4 was here before?

seriously, don't drive to greenville with hubcaps on your car because the time you get back them ***** are gone.

i will admit the fact that your team has kept him around in spite of his poor leadership skills and "me first" attitude is surprising.

Ryan > Manziel > Cam